Image producing device, speed expressing method, and program

ABSTRACT

An operation input reception unit ( 201 ) receives an operation input for a virtual vehicle. A running condition managing unit ( 203 ) manages the running condition of the virtual vehicle based on the received operation input. An image producing unit ( 204 ) produces a view field image seen from the viewpoint of the moving object based on stored image information and the managed moving condition. A velocity calculation unit ( 205 ) calculates the velocity of the moving object based on the managed moving condition. A deformed image producing unit ( 206 ) extracts an image of a rectangular area based on the velocity from the produced view field image and produces a deformed image obtained by deforming the extracted image into a trapezoidal shape. A display control unit ( 207 ) synthesizes the produced view field image and the produced deformed image and displays the synthesized image.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an image producing device, a speedexpressing method, and a program suitable for appropriately expressingthe speed of a moving object in a virtual space.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, game devices for business use and home use have beenwidely spread. With such a game device, for example, one can enjoy arace game by a vehicle such as a car, etc.

In such a race game, for example, the player typically operates acontroller or the like, and drives an F1 machine, a stock car, or thelike, which runs in a virtual space, to the goal point, vying with othervehicles for earlier arrival.

Recently, such a race game has also been known, where the engine output,the suspension stiffness, and the tire performances, etc. are factoredso that one can drive a vehicle with a near feeling that occurs whendriving a real vehicle.

Further, such a technique has also been disclosed, which connects aplurality of game devices by a transmission line, for a multi-playedracing game (for example, see Patent Literature 1).

-   Patent Literature 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application KOKAI    Publication No. H7-185133 (pp. 3-6, FIG. 3)

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

In conventional race games, the velocity of the vehicle is notified tothe player, generally by displaying a picture of a speed meter or thelike on the game screen. Further, as the vehicle moves, the backgroundscene, etc. to be displayed are also changed.

However, such displays have not been enough to make the playersufficiently feel the sense of speed corresponding to the velocity ofthe vehicle. Therefore, many players have requested renditions that canmake them feel the sense of speed corresponding to the velocity.

The present invention was made in view of the above-describedcircumstance, and an object of the resent invention is to provide animage producing device, a speed expressing method, and a program whichcan appropriately express the speed of a moving object in a virtualspace.

Means for Solving the Problem

An image producing device according to a first aspect of the presentinvention comprises an image information storage unit, an operationinput reception unit, a moving condition managing unit, a view fieldimage producing unit, a velocity calculation unit, a deformed imageproducing unit, and a display control unit, which are configured asfollows.

First, the image information storage unit stores image information whichdefines a scenery image to be laid out in a virtual space. And theoperation input reception unit receives an operation input for a virtualmoving object to be moved in the virtual space. Then, the movingcondition managing unit manages a moving condition of the moving objectbased on the received operation input.

The view field image producing unit produces a view field image seenfrom a viewpoint of the moving object, based on the stored imageinformation and the managed moving condition. And the velocitycalculation unit calculates a velocity of the moving object based on themanaged moving condition. Further, the deformed image producing unitextracts an image of a predetermined area based on the velocity from theproduced view field image, and produces a deformed image obtained bydeforming the extracted image into a predetermined shape. Then, thedisplay control unit synthesizes the produced view field image and theproduced deformed image and displays the synthesized image.

That is, since the image of a portion (for example, a peripheralportion) is deformed according to the velocity and synthesized, theimage of the synthesized portion seems to be drifting (changingdrastically) to the eyes of the player. Therefore, the player can feelthe sense of speed of the moving object he/she operates.

As a result, the speed of the moving object in the virtual space can beappropriately expressed.

The deformed image producing unit may extract the image of the area,which is found in correspondence with the velocity, from a peripheralportion of the produced view field image, and produce the deformed imageobtained by deforming the extracted image into a shape which covers theperipheral portion of the view field image.

In this case, since the image of the peripheral portion is deformedaccording to the velocity and synthesized, the image of the peripheralportion seems to be drifting to the eyes of the player. As a result, thespeed of the moving object can be appropriately expressed.

The deformed image producing unit may produce deformed images byextracting, as texture images, rectangular areas which are found incorrespondence with the velocity, respectively from peripheral portionsnear four sides of the produced view field image, and texture-mappingthe extracted texture images respectively on four objects having atrapezoidal shape, which cover the peripheral portions of the view fieldimage.

In this case, since the rectangular images at the peripheral portionsare formed into a trapezoidal shape according to the velocity andsynthesized, the images at the peripheral portions seem to be driftingto the eyes of the player. As a result, the speed of the moving objectcan be appropriately expressed.

The display control unit may semi-transparent the produced deformedimage, and synthesize it with the produced view field image.

In this case, the synthesized portion seems to be blurry to the eyes ofthe player. Therefore, the player can feel the sense of speed of themoving object operated by him/herself.

A speed expressing method according to a second aspect of the presentinvention stores image information which defines a scenery image to belaid out in a virtual space, and comprises an operation input receivingstep, a moving condition managing step, a view field image producingstep, a velocity calculating step, a deformed image producing step, anda display controlling step, which are configured as follows.

First, at the operation input receiving step, an operation input for avirtual moving object to be moved in a virtual space is received. And atthe moving condition managing step, a moving condition of the movingobject is managed based on the received operation input. Then, at theview field image producing step, a view field image seen from aviewpoint of the moving object is produced based on the stored imageinformation and the managed moving condition.

At the velocity calculating step, a velocity of the moving object iscalculated based on the managed moving condition. And at the deformedimage producing step, an image of a predetermined area based on thevelocity is extracted from the produced view field image, and a deformedimage is produced by deforming the extracted image into a predeterminedshape. Then, at the display controlling step, the produced view fieldimage and the produced deformed image are synthesized and displayed.

That is, since the image of a portion (for example, a peripheralportion) is deformed according to the velocity and synthesized, theimage of the synthesized portion seems to be drifting (changingdrastically) to the eyes of the player. Therefore, the player can feelthe sense of speed of the moving object he/she operates.

As a result, the speed of the moving object in the virtual space can beappropriately expressed.

A program according to a third aspect of the present invention isconfigured to control a computer (including an electronic apparatus) tofunction as the above-described image producing device.

This program can be stored on a computer-readable information recordingmedium such as a compact disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetooptical disk, a digital video disk, a magnetic tape, a semiconductormemory, etc.

The above-described program can be distributed and sold via a computercommunication network, independently from a computer on which theprogram is executed. Further, the above-described information recordingmedium can be distributed and sold independently from the computer.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriatelyexpress the speed of a moving object in a virtual space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 It is an exemplary diagram showing a schematic structure of atypical game device on which an image producing device according to anembodiment of the present invention is realized.

FIG. 2 It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of a schematicstructure of the image producing device according to the embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3A It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of the shape ofan object.

FIG. 3B It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of the shape ofan object.

FIG. 3C It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of the shape ofan object.

FIG. 3D It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of the shape ofan object.

FIG. 3E It is an exemplary diagram showing correspondence between theshape of each object and a display image.

FIG. 4A It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of informationmanaged by a running condition managing unit of the image producingdevice.

FIG. 4B It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of informationmanaged by the running condition managing unit of the image producingdevice.

FIG. 5 It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of a view fieldimage depicted by an image producing unit of the image producing device.

FIG. 6A It is an exemplary diagram for explaining how a deformed imageis produced.

FIG. 6B It is an exemplary diagram for explaining how a deformed imageis produced.

FIG. 6C It is an exemplary diagram for explaining how a deformed imageis produced.

FIG. 7A It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of a view fieldimage to be produced.

FIG. 7B It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of deformedimages to be produced.

FIG. 7C It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of a displayimage obtained by synthesizing the deformed images on the view fieldimage.

FIG. 8 It is a flowchart showing the flow of control of a speedexpressing process performed by the image producing device.

FIG. 9A It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of a displayimage.

FIG. 9B It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of a displayimage.

FIG. 10 It is an exemplary diagram showing one example of a displayimage in which a vehicle is displayed.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   100 game device    -   101 CPU    -   102 ROM    -   103 RAM    -   104 interface    -   105 controller    -   106 external memory    -   107 DVD-ROM drive    -   108 image processing unit    -   109 audio processing unit    -   110 NIC    -   200 image producing device    -   201 operation input reception unit    -   202 image information storage unit    -   203 running condition managing unit    -   204 image producing unit    -   205 velocity calculation unit    -   206 deformed image producing unit    -   207 display control unit

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention will be explained below.Embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a game devicewill be explained below in order to facilitate understanding. However,the present invention can likewise be applied to information processingapparatuses such as computers of various types, PDAs, portabletelephones, etc. That is, the embodiments to be explained below areintended for explanation, not to limit the scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, though those having ordinary skill in the artcould employ embodiments in which each element or all the elements ofthe present embodiments are replaced with equivalents of those, suchembodiments will also be included in the scope of the present invention.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a schematic structure of atypical game device on which an image producing device according to theembodiment of the present invention will be realized. The followingexplanation will be given with reference to this diagram.

A game device 100 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM(Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an interface104, a controller 105, an external memory 106, a DVD (Digital VersatileDisk)-ROM drive 107, an image processing unit 108, an audio processingunit 109, and an NIC (Network Interface Card) 110.

By loading a DVD-ROM storing a game program and data onto the DVD-ROMdrive 107 and turning on the power of the game device 100, the programwill be executed and the image producing device according to the presentembodiment will be realized.

The CPU 101 controls the operation of the entire game device 100, and isconnected to each element to exchange control signals and data.

The ROM 102 stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader) to be executedimmediately after the power is turned on, execution of which triggersthe program stored on the DVD-ROM to be read into the RAM 103 andexecuted by the CPU 101. Further, the ROM 102 stores a program andvarious data for an operating system necessary for controlling theoperation of the entire game device 100.

The RAM 103 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and retainsthe program and data read out from the DVD-ROM, and other data necessaryfor game proceedings and chat communications.

The controller 105 connected through the interface 104 receives anoperation input given by the user when playing the game. The controller105 includes direction keys, selection keys, etc.

The external memory 106 detachably connected through the interface 104rewritably stores data indicating the progress status of the game, dataof chat communication logs (records). The user can store these data onthe external memory 106 where needed, by inputting instructions throughthe controller 105.

The DVD-ROM to be loaded on the DVD-ROM drive 107 stores a program forrealizing the game and image data and audio data accompanying the game.Under the control of the CPU 101, the DVD-ROM drive 107 performs areading process on the DVD-ROM loaded thereon to read out a necessaryprogram and data, which are to be temporarily stored on the RAM 103,etc.

The image processing unit 108 processes the data read out from theDVD-ROM by means of the CPU 101 and an image calculation processor(unillustrated) provided in the image processing unit 108, andthereafter stores the data in a frame memory (unillustrated) provided inthe image processing unit 108. The image information stored in the framememory is converted into a video signal at a predeterminedsynchronization timing and output to a monitor (unillustrated) connectedto the image processing unit 108. Thereby, image displays of varioustypes are available.

Note that the image calculation processor can rapidly performtransparent operations such as overlay operation or a blending oftwo-dimensional images, and saturate operations of various types.

Further, the image calculation processor can also rapidly perform anoperation for rendering, by a Z buffer method, polygon informationplaced in a virtual three-dimensional space and having various textureinformation added, to obtain a rendered image of the polygon placed inthe virtual three-dimensional space as seen from a predetermined viewposition.

The audio processing unit 109 converts audio data read out from theDVD-ROM into an analog audio signal, and outputs the signal from aspeaker (unillustrated) connected thereto. Further, under the control ofthe CPU 101, the audio processing unit 109 generates sound effects andmusic data to be sounded in the course of the game, and outputs thesounds corresponding to the data from the speaker.

The NIC 110 is for connecting the game device 100 to a computercommunication network (unillustrated) such as the Internet, etc., andcomprises a BASE-T/100BASE-T product used for building a LAN (Local AreaNetwork), an analog modem, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)modem, or an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem forconnecting to the Internet by using a telephone line, a cable modem forconnecting to the Internet by using a cable television line, or thelike, and an interface (unillustrated) for intermediating between theseand the CPU 101.

Aside from the above, the game device 100 may be configured to performthe same functions as the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the external memory 106,the DVD-ROM to be loaded on the DVD-ROM drive 107, etc. by using alarge-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk, etc.

Further, it is also possible to employ an embodiment where a keyboardfor accepting a character string editing input from the user, and amouse for accepting various position designations and selection inputsfrom the user are connected. Furthermore, a general-purpose personalcomputer may be used instead of the game device 100 of the presentembodiment.

(Schematic Structure of Image Producing Device)

FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram showing a schematic structure of theimage producing device 200 according to the present embodiment. Thefollowing explanation will be given with reference to this diagram.

The image producing device 200 comprises an operation input receptionunit 201, an image information storage unit 202, a running conditionmanaging unit 203, an image producing unit 204, a velocity calculationunit 205, a deformed image producing unit 206, and a display controlunit 207.

The explanation will be given to a case that the image producing device200 is applied to a racing game where a racing car, which runs on acircuit within a virtual space, is operated.

First, the operation input reception unit 201 receives an operationinput for a racing car (virtual vehicle) which is to be run on a circuitwithin a virtual space.

For example, the operation input reception unit 201 receives anoperation input for a brake operation, an accelerator operation, asteering wheel operation, and a shifter operation, etc. necessary forrunning the racing car.

The controller 105 can function as the operation input reception unit201.

The image information storage unit 202 stores image information whichdefines scenery images, etc. which include the running path on thecircuit within the virtual space. Other than this, the image informationstorage unit 202 stores image information which defines a plurality ofracing cars including the racing car to be operated by the player, andetc.

Further, the image information storage unit 202 stores trapezoidalobjects (polygons, etc.) as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D. These objectscorrespond to the fringes of the four sides of a display image (a viewfield image to be described later) as shown in FIG. 3E.

That is, the object ObU corresponds to the up side, the object ObDcorresponds to the down side, the object ObL corresponds to the leftside, and the object ObR corresponds to the right side.

As will be described later, the deformed image producing unit 206texture-maps the images of peripheral portions to these objects ObU toObR.

The DVD-ROM loaded on the DVD-ROM drive 107, the external memory 106,etc. can function as such an image information storage unit 202.

The running condition managing unit 203 manages the running conditionsof the racing car operated by the player, and the running conditions ofthe other racing cars which are run automatically.

For example, the running condition managing unit 203 manages informationwhich defines the running conditions as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

The information shown in FIG. 4A is information to be updated wherenecessary, according to operation information of various types sent fromthe operation input reception unit 201. That is, the running conditionsof the racing car operated by the player are managed by the informationof FIG. 4A.

The information shown in FIG. 4B is information to be updatedautomatically based on predetermined logics and parameters. That is, therunning conditions of the other racing cars which are run automaticallyare managed by the information of FIG. 4B.

Further, the running condition managing unit 203 manages contacts andcollisions between racing cars, based on the information of FIGS. 4A and4B.

The CPU 101 can function as such a running condition managing unit 203.

The image producing unit 204 produces the image (image in the proceedingdirection) ahead of the racing car operated by the player, based on theimage information stored in the image information storage unit 202 andthe running conditions managed by the running condition managing unit203.

Specifically, the image producing unit 204 depicts a view field image(driver's view) as shown in FIG. 5, which is observed when the viewoutside the car is seen from the driver's seat of the racing car.

The image processing unit 108 can function as such an image producingunit 204.

The velocity calculation unit 205 calculates the velocity (currentvelocity) of the racing car operated by the player, based on the runningconditions managed by the running condition managing unit 203.

The CPU 101 can function as such a velocity calculation unit 205.

The deformed image producing unit 206 extracts predetermined areas basedon the velocity calculated by the velocity calculation unit 205 from theview field image produced by the image producing unit 204, and producesdeformed images obtained by deforming the extracted images into apredetermined shape.

That is, the deformed image producing unit 206 extracts, as textureimages, rectangular areas which are found in correspondence with thevelocity, respectively from the peripheral portions near the four sidesof the produced view field image, and texture-maps the extracted textureimages on the objects ObU to ObR respectively, thereby producingdeformed images.

Specifically, the deformed image producing unit 206 extracts, as textureimages, rectangular areas a, b, c, . . . , which are found incorrespondence with the velocity, from the peripheral portion near theright side of the view field image as shown in FIG. 6A. Note that therectangular area becomes larger as the velocity is lower, while becomingsmaller as the velocity is higher. For example, these rectangular areasmay be changed in a manner that the number of dots included in thevertical and horizontal sides thereof correspond to the inverse number(1/v) of the velocity v (note that the upper limit andaddition/subtraction of the number of dots are defined).

Then, when the deformed image producing unit 206 extracts such an imageas shown in FIG. 6B as a texture image, it texture-maps it on the objectObR to produce a deformed image as shown in FIG. 6C.

Likewise, the deformed image producing unit 206 extracts rectangularareas found in correspondence with the velocity as texture images,respectively from the remaining three sides of the view field image,texture-maps these to the objects ObU, ObD, and ObL respectively, andproduces deformed images.

The image processing unit 108 can function as such a deformed imageproducing unit 206.

The display control unit 207 appropriately synthesizes the view fieldimage produced by the image producing unit 204 with the deformed imagesproduced by the deformed image producing unit 206, and thereafterconverts the synthesized image into a predetermined image signal todisplay the image on an external monitor or the like.

For example, in a case where the image producing unit 204 produces aview field image as shown in FIG. 7A and the deformed image producingunit 206 produces deformed images (texture-mapped objects ObU to ObR) asshown in FIG. 7B, the display control unit 207 semi-transparents thedeformed images and synthesizes them on the view field image. That is,the display control unit 207 synthesizes the deformed images on the viewfield image by α blending, thereby producing a display image as shown inFIG. 7C.

Since the rectangular images in the peripheral portions are deformedinto a trapezoidal shape in correspondence with the velocity andsynthesized in this manner, the images in the peripheral portions seemto be drifting (changing drastically) and blurry to the eyes of theplayer. Therefore, the player can feel the speed of the moving objectoperated by him/herself.

The image processing unit 108 can function as such a display controlunit 207.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of a speed expressing processperformed by the image producing device 200. The following explanationwill be given with reference to this drawing. Note that this speedexpressing process will be started, for example, together with progressof the game in playing the car race game.

That is, when the car race game is started (step S301), the imageproducing device 200 receives an operation input, and updates therunning conditions of the racing car (step S302).

That is, when the operation input reception unit 201 receives anaccelerator operation, a brake operation, a steering wheel operation,and a shifter operation, etc. of the player, the running conditionmanaging unit 203 updates the running conditions (current position,running direction, etc.) according to the operations.

The image producing device 200 produces a view field image according tothe running conditions (step S303).

That is, the image producing unit 204 produces a view field image(driver's view) based on the image information stored in the imageinformation storage unit 202 and the running conditions managed by therunning condition managing unit 203.

The image producing device 200 calculates the velocity based on therunning conditions (step S304).

That is, the velocity calculation unit 205 calculates the velocity ofthe racing car operated by the player, based on the running conditionsmanaged by the running condition managing unit 203.

The image producing device 200 produces deformed images based on thecalculated velocity (step S305).

That is, the deformed image producing unit 206 extracts, as textureimages, rectangular areas which are found in correspondence with thevelocity calculated by the velocity calculation unit 205, respectivelyfrom the peripheral portions near the four sides of the view field imageproduced by the image producing unit 204. Then, the deformed imageproducing unit 206 produces deformed images by texture-mapping theextracted texture images on the objects ObU to ObR as shown in FIGS. 3Ato 3D respectively.

The image producing device 200 displays a display image obtained bysynthesizing the view field image and the deformed images (step S306).

That is, the display control unit 207 appropriately synthesizes the viewfield image produced by the image producing unit 204 with the deformedimages produced by the deformed image producing unit 206, thereafterconverts the image into a predetermined image signal, and displays it onthe external monitor or the like.

For example, when the velocity of the racing car operated by the playeris low, such a display image as shown in FIG. 9A is synthesized anddisplayed. There are few changes observed in the peripheral portions ofthe display image of FIG. 9A.

This is because, since large rectangular areas are extracted by thedeformed image producing unit 206 as texture images respectively fromthe peripheral portions of the view field image and texture-mapped onthe objects ObU to ObR respectively, the produced deformed images do notshow great changes.

On the other hand, in a case where the velocity of the racing car ishigh, such a display image as shown in FIG. 9B is synthesized anddisplayed. The peripheral portions are expressed as drifting (changingdrastically) and blurry in the display image of FIG. 9B.

This is because, since smaller rectangular areas are extracted by thedeformed image producing unit 206 as texture images respectively fromthe peripheral portions of the view field image and texture-mapped onthe objects ObU to ObR respectively, the produced deformed images showgreat changes.

Then, the image producing device 200 determines whether or not the gameis finished (step S307).

In a case where it is determined that the game is not finished, theimage producing device 200 returns the process to step S302, andrepeatedly performs the processes of the above-described steps S302 toS307.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the game isfinished, the image producing device 200 completes the speed expressingprocess.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possibleto appropriately express the velocity of the moving object in thevirtual space.

Other Embodiments

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been explained where thedeformed images are produced from all of the four sides of the viewfield image and synthesized.

However, deformed images may be produced from a less than four number ofsides of the view field image and synthesized.

For example, in a case where a vehicle image J of the racing car isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 10, rectangular areas which are found incorrespondence with the velocity may be extracted as texture images fromthe peripheral portions of the three sides among the four sides, thatexclude the down side, and these may be texture-mapped on the threeobjects (objects ObU, ObL, and ObR) and synthesized.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been explainedwhere texture images having a rectangular shape are texture-mapped onthe objects having a trapezoidal shape as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D.However, the shape of the objects is not limited to a trapezoidal shape,but arbitrary.

For example, texture images may be texture-mapped on objects having atriangular shape.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been explained,as an example, where movements are made in the depth direction in thevirtual space as seen from the viewpoint of the player. However, thedirection of movements is not limited to the depth direction butarbitrary. For example, the present invention can be applied to theso-called vertical scrolling and horizontal scrolling, where needed.

In doing so, texture images may be extracted from the left and right twosides in case of vertical scrolling or from the up and down two sides incase of horizontal scrolling, and texture-mapped on objects having aparallelogram shape.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the explanation has beengiven by employing a virtual vehicle (racing car) which runs in avirtual space as an example. However, the present invention can beapplied to any object (virtual moving object) that moves in a virtualspace.

For example, a virtual flying object (jet plane, passenger plane, etc.)which flies in a virtual space may be the object of operation.

The present application claims priority based on Japanese PatentApplication No 2004-163824, the content of which is incorporated hereinin its entirety.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possibleto provide an image producing device, a speed expressing method, and aprogram suitable for appropriately expressing the speed of a movingobject in a virtual space.

1. An image producing device, comprising: an image information storageunit which stores image information which defines a scenery image to belaid out in a virtual space; an operation input reception unit whichreceives an operation input for a virtual moving object to be moved inthe virtual space; a moving condition managing unit which manages amoving condition of the moving object based on the received operationinput; a view field image producing unit which produces a view fieldimage seen from a viewpoint of the moving object, based on the storedimage information and the managed moving condition; a velocitycalculation unit which calculates a velocity of the moving object basedon the managed moving condition; a deformed image producing unit whichextracts an image of a predetermined rectangular area based on thevelocity from a peripheral portion of the produced view field image, andproduces a deformed image obtained by deforming the extracted image intoa trapezoidal shape; and a display control unit which synthesizes theproduced view field image and the produced deformed image and displaysthe synthesized image.
 2. An image producing device comprising: an imageinformation storage unit which stores image information which defines ascenery image to be laid out in a virtual space; an operation inputreception unit which receives an operation input for a virtual movingobject to be moved in the virtual space; a moving condition managingunit which manages a moving condition of the moving object based on thereceived operation input; a view field image producing unit whichproduces a view field image seen from a viewpoint of the moving object,based on the stored image information and the managed moving condition;a velocity calculation unit which calculates a velocity of the movingobject based on the managed moving condition; a deformed image producingunit which extracts an image of a predetermined area based on thevelocity from the produced view field image, and produces a deformedimage obtained by deforming the extracted image into a predeterminedshape; and a display control unit which synthesizes the produced viewfield image and the produced deformed image and displays the synthesizedimage; wherein said deformed image producing unit produces deformedimages by extracting, as texture images, rectangular areas which arefound in correspondence with the velocity, respectively from peripheralportions near four sides of the produced view field image, andtexture-mapping the extracted texture images respectively on fourobjects having a trapezoidal shape, which cover the peripheral portionsof the view field image.
 3. The image producing device according toclaim 1, wherein said display control unit semi-transparents theproduced deformed image, and synthesizes it with the produced view fieldimage.
 4. A non-transitory computer-readable information recordingmedium which stores a program for controlling a computer to function asan image information storage unit, an operation input reception unit, amoving condition managing unit, a view field image producing unit, avelocity calculation unit, a deformed image producing unit, and adisplay control unit, wherein: said image information storage unitstores image information which defines a scenery image to be laid out ina virtual space; said operation input reception unit receives anoperation input for a virtual moving object to be moved in the virtualspace; said moving condition managing unit manages a moving condition ofthe moving object based on the received operation input; said view fieldimage producing unit produces a view field image seen from a viewpointof the moving object, based on the stored image information and themanaged moving condition; said velocity calculation unit calculates avelocity of the moving object based on the managed moving condition;said deformed image producing unit extracts an image of a predeterminedrectangular area based on the velocity from the produced view fieldimage, and produces a deformed image obtained by deforming the extractedimage into a trapezoidal shape; and said display control unitsynthesizes the produced view field image and the produced deformedimage and displays the synthesized image.